Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259469 Unique Reference Number 12 February 2008 Inspection date Suman Willis Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her three adult children in Archway, Islington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day and three children over five on a part-time basis after school. The childminder minds four days a week Monday to Thursday. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of a local childminder support group. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities which promote their physical health. They walk to and from school, go to the park and engage in organised activities such as trampoline. Children also have access to outdoor resources such as balls, hoops, buckets and spades. Babies and toddlers have access to resources which provide physical challenges and are fully supported as they learn to walk and sit up. They happily attempt to reach out as the childminder is at hand to encourage and support. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Clear policies and procedures are used to monitor children's health and these are effectively shared with parents. However, details of existing injuries when a child arrives are sometimes not recorded. Therefore, documents are sometimes not used effectively to promote children's health. The childminder obtains written permission from parents to administer emergency aid for which she is appropriately qualified. Children are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices because the childminder promotes herself as a good role model. For example, she supports children so that they learn to wash their own hands before meals and snacks. The childminder has effective procedures in place such as wearing disposable gloves when changing nappies to help minimise cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished. They enjoy the social occasion of sitting at the table and talking to the childminder. Children eat healthy snacks and meals such as melons and pasta bake for lunch. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure babies are appropriately weaned and that all children's individual dietary needs are effectively met. Children have regular drinks to quench their thirsts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure environment. The house and the garden are suitably risk-assessed to ensure that they stay safe. Children predominantly use the playroom which is organised to ensure that all children can move around safely. Their work is proudly displayed at low-level, along with good posters. Children have access to an excellent range of resources which are hygienically well-maintained and are age-appropriate. These are stored so that children can access them with ease to promote free choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to stay safe because the childminder has good clear procedures in-place. For example, children are involved in practising the fire drill so that they are familiar with emergency evacuation should the need arise. Their safety is highly regarded and maintained by the childminder who uses resources such as a stairgate, socket covers and a fire blanket. Children learn about safety as the childminder uses her observational skills to re-enforce safety boundaries such as sitting carefully on chairs. They develop a good understanding of road safety as they go for daily walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well-safeguarded because the childminder has a very good understanding of child protection which is in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care. They engage purposefully in their play making independent choices from an excellent range of readily available resources. Children make very good progress as they develop their language skills because the childminder provides an environment which promotes independence and extend on what they know. For example, they excitedly point to pictures and posters on the wall and attempt to say the words. The childminder praises them as she repeats the word thus encouraging them to say the words again and attempt new ones. Children are fully challenged as the childminder uses her observational skills to join and extend their play. For example, the childminder helps children to make a necklace using a variety of shapes such as fairies and beads. Children are delighted as they learn new words such as 'pull' and 'thread' as they practise their threading skills, thus

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

also developing good hand-and-eye coordination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy role-play as they engage imaginatively in pirate games while playing with the pirate ship. They love exploring books and pretend to read to the childminder. They are delighted as they mimic the childminder and attempt to repeat the words. Children learn about the growing cycle as they plant tomatoes in the garden. Older children are involved in age-appropriate and interesting activities. For example, the childminder plans in advance activities such as cooking, marble painting and collage

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and toddlers feel safe and valued which enables them to become competent learners. They enjoy exploring a variety of items in the treasure basket and the 'duplo' box in the close proximity of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn right from wrong as they all play together and help each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a strong sense of belonging as the childminder has an excellent range of children's work and their photographs displayed around the room and kitchen. They are keen to extend their play and learning by making independent choices as they engage in their play. The childminder draws up individual plans by seeking valuable information from parents, this helps children settle with ease. Children with English as an additional language make excellent progress because the childminder uses different various methods to promote their language skills. Babies are becoming confident because the childminder respects their needs and provides emotional support. For example, as they become nervous of strangers the childminder sits with them offering cuddles and engaging them in activities. This helps them to settle and continue with their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to an excellent range of resources which promote their understanding of different cultures. They participate in a variety of activities such as cooking with noodles or making curries. Visual aids such as posters portraying positive images of people are very well displayed. Children walk daily to and from school, visit the park and local shops, which develops their understanding of their local community. They learn about plants as they grow vegetables and herbs in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave impeccably because they are cared for in a calm and caring environment. Their needs are clearly valued by the childminder who is constantly praising them for their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 achievements. The childminder uses her observational skills intervening and distracting before situations arise. Children are developing their self-esteem and respect for others because the childminder is a good role model. For example, she says 'please' and 'thank you' to the children and they are eager to repeat this when offered their snacks and lunches.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed very good methods to promote an effective partnership with parents. Information about children's development is shared in a variety of ways. For example, parents are provided with written information about their day and an ongoing scrap book marking the progress children make while in the childminder's care. The childminder also ensures that she allows valuable time to share information verbally. Parents are fully informed of the childminder's complaints procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who is very knowledgeable and has a good understanding of child development. For example, the childminder attends workshops which enable her to work with children individually. She draws up individual development plans ensuring that every child reaches his/her full potential. Children are very well-protected because the childminder has a high regard for their well-being and ensures that all adults in the house are suitably vetted. The childminder is effectively organised to enable her to contribute to children's care, learning and play. She does this by planning in advance to ensure that activities are suitable and enable all children to participate. Policies and procedures generally work in practice to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. These are effectively shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to familiarise with the local child protection procedures and with the booklet 'what to do if any allegations of abuse are made against you or others'. Children are now better protected because the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding in child protection and is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop procedures to record details of existing injuries when a child arrives.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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